Annik Keoseyan 
Arquitecta
︎︎︎

YONA FRIEDMAN   
Typology: Museography
Collaboration: Rodolfo Díaz Cervantes + TECA
Location: MUAC, Mexico City
Date: 2013

The museography for the exhibition “Architecture without Building” was created in 2013, a project that explored the relationship between the concept of architecture and the absence of physical structures. The design team developed a series of models, drawings, and experiments in various media to tangibly represent Yona Friedman’s ideas. These representations of his architectural theories, based on flexibility and spatial adaptation, were presented at a 1:1 scale at the Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC) in Mexico City.

DESCRIPTION︎︎︎

The exhibition was a visual and conceptual reinterpretation of Friedman’s proposals, which stood out for their innovative approach to modular and ephemeral architecture. The works on display allowed the public to experience the vision of architectural space that doesn’t necessarily need to materialize in permanent buildings but can transform and adapt to the needs of its inhabitants. In addition to models and drawings, interactive elements were included, inviting attendees to participate actively by drawing or modifying the proposed spaces.

The assembly of the exhibition was designed as a participatory process where the viewer not only observed but also immersed themselves in the possibilities of an architecture in constant evolution, focused on functionality and flexibility rather than structural rigidity.

The museography of “Architecture without Building” was not only aimed at showcasing Friedman’s ideas but also at offering an immersive experience that challenged traditional architectural conventions. This exhibition sought to open a dialogue between Friedman’s theoretical concepts and how they could be materialized in experimental and experiential ways. It was not just a collection of static representations; it invited visitors to question the function of architectural space and its relationship with the bodies that inhabit it.

In addition to models and drawings, video projections and animations were included to demonstrate how Friedman’s ideas could be applied in urban and natural contexts. These visual representations offered a dynamic view of the proposed structures, shaping a space that, while intangible, came to life before the viewer's eyes. The use of projections also allowed for an exploration of the concept of ephemeral and adaptable architecture—one of the fundamental principles of Friedman’s theories, which advocated for architecture that responds to the changing needs of society.